Gaseous transfer in multiple metal bath reactors

Abstract

A reactor system for the transformation of solid, liquid, gaseous, and related hydrocarbon feedstocks into high-purity, high-pressure gas streams capable of withstanding high temperatures and high pressures. The system comprises a plurality of reactor housings and a plurality of molten-metal bath vessels within the housings, the bath vessels in fluid communication with each other via conduits, with communication facilitated by gravity and temperature / pressure differentials.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS SECTION[0001]This application claims the benefit to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 025,684, filed on Feb. 1, 2008. The entire teaching of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention describes a method for the production of high purity, high pressure gas streams comprising methane (CH4), syngas (CO / H2) and hydrogen (H2). The method advantageously can be used to produce large volumes of these gaseous products at a lower cost than currently now available by prior art methods. The methane gas stream can be used as a fuel or energy source and / or as a building block to produce a number of higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. The hydrogen gas can be used in a variety of applications including but not limited to the reduction of carbon dissolved in liquid metals, H2 storage in fuel cells, and hydrogenation reactions. In one embodiment, the syngas (CO / H2) can be delivered in a 1:1 ratio under high...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a reactor system that can withstand high temperatures and pressures. It can be used in processes involving multiple steps and can produce high purity gas streams. The system has multiple zones and can produce syngas or H2 gas with purities of at least 99%. The gas can be obtained at high pressure, and the pressure can be further increased or liquefied. The reactor can accommodate pressures of up to 600 bar. The technical effects of the invention include high purity gas production at high pressure and efficient utilization of multiple zones in the reactor system."

Problems solved by technology

Although the combustion of coal to generate steam, can be used to generate electricity, coal deposits frequently contain high levels of impurities such as sulfur and mercury and consequently must be subjected to expensive processing prior to utilization.

Many processes currently available have not proven to be economic.

Lack of efficient mixing on a molecular level impedes the rate of oxidation.

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